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Wall Street Journal to Fight Charges Against Arrested Reporter

Douglas Belkin didn't follow orders while covering Rod Blagojevich trial, authorities say.

Thursday, Jul 22, 2010 | Updated 10:30 AM CDT

Wall Street Journal to Fight Charges Against Arrested Reporter

Nick Koudis

A Wall Street Journal spokeswoman said the newspaper will fight the charges lobbed against one of their reporters following his arrest Wednesday.

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A Wall Street Journal spokeswoman said the newspaper will fight the charges lobbed against one of their reporters following his arrest Wednesday.

The reporter, Douglas Belkin, was waiting in a designated reporters' area in the Dirksen Federal Courthouse's lobby while covering the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial when he left the area to pursue an interview.

U.S. Marshals spokeswoman Belkis Cantor said Belkin was ordered to stop, but didn't comply with the order. He received a misdemeanor citation Wednesday for failure to comply with signs and directions, and touching a U.S. Marshal.

Belkin was released from police custody and will have a hearing, though a date hasn't been set.

Wall Street Journal spokeswoman Ashley Huston said Belkin was wrongfully arrested and charged with petty offenses for routine newsgathering.